Funding

Riverbend Head Start & Family Services operates with a diversified funding base that primarily includes federal, state funding, and local grants or gifts from the community. All of your gifts support our mission of preparing children for success in kindergarten. Your donations stay right here in our community and help give at-risk and impoverished children and their families the little extra support they need to transform their lives for a brighter future. Additional information is available in our latest annual report.

Thank you for giving our children a head start and for being a champion in the community!

Riverbend Head Start and Family Services is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. While our federal grant funds a portion of our actual expenses, the funding gap allows for many opportunities for private and corporate support. We depend on parent, board and community participation in our volunteer and giving programs throughout the year. Here are some of the ways individuals and corporations can contribute:

* Annual Fund & Friends Giving Campaign: This campaign begins in November of each year. Through your direct donation, Riverbend Head Start and Family Services can offer support in the areas with the greatest need throughout the year. In some instances, donations help fund various costs that our federal grant may not cover which may include directing a portion of your gift towards the growth and sustainability of the organization and its programs.

* Matching Employer/Corporate Gifts: Employer/Corporate matching gift programs help employees maximize their philanthropic contributions. There are corporations in our area and surrounding communities that will match their employee’s financial gifts and or volunteer hours to a nonprofit organization. We accept matching gift donations at any time. Please consult with your company's Human Resources department to find out if your employer participates and/or if, Riverbend Head Start qualifies for a matching contribution.

* Circle of Care Awards Dinner: Individual reservations, donations and corporate sponsorship is a crucial ingredient to the success of our Annual Fundraising Event. 85% or more of the proceeds go directly to sustaining the programs, classrooms, and care of the program environment. The event is held each Spring with board and community participation.

* Donor Advised Funds (more information to come)

* Planned & Estate Giving (more information to come)

* Amazon Smile Contribution: When you name Riverbend Head Start and Family Services as your charity of choice for your Amazon purchase, we receive a percentage of the payment.

* Other/In-Kind: The school welcomes gifts, large and small, of funds, materials, equipment, etc., as listed in our gift acceptance policy. The organization’s office personnel will provide the appropriate forms for tax purposes. All contributions to Riverbend Head Start and Family Services are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

* Volunteer: The greatest gift of all, of course, is one that has no price tag; the time, talents and dedication of the organization's member families, friends, and other supporters, freely given in the spirit of helping to attain the goal of a quality early childhood education preparing children beyond kindergarten and empowering parents to build a healthier and stronger family bond